So let’s start! Tell us a bit about yourself. For example, name, profession, and personal interests.
My name’s Sam White and I work as a writer. I’m qualified as a journalist, so I think some of what I do falls into that category. Personally, I’m interested in the things I write about, so right now that’s art, tech, and NFTs in particular.
Interesting! What was your latest Hackernoon Top story about?
I wrote about NFTs, and specifically about the claim that they’re somehow invalidated by the fact that you can right-click and save an image for free. This is a misunderstanding of why people collect art (and other things), and ignores the importance of provenance and scarcity, and why we value proof of ownership.
Do you usually write on similar topics? If not, what do you usually write about?
Now I write about NFTs and crypto, but in the past I’ve written about all kinds of things: politics, music, sports, travel. I actually find the NFT niche way more fascinating than other areas though, because it’s volatile and almost out-of-control, for better or worse.
It’s massively disruptive, unregulated and undefined, anyone can jump in (both good and bad actors), and I kind of like that some people are evangelical about it, while others really get irate about it. No shortage of drama, basically!
Great! What is your usual writing routine like (if you have one?)
Hectic recently, and defined nowadays by remoteness - as in, not being connected to local geography. So, it’s totally removed from the idea of being a journalist covering a local beat, with a regular schedule.
Now you have deadlines that correspond to time zones you’re not in, you’re connecting with people all around the world, working in different currencies. Which makes you think about how it would be better not to need banks and area-specific money, how crypto enables borderless systems, and how the metaverse might function.
Being a writer in tech can be a challenge. It’s not often our main role, but an addition to another one. What is the biggest challenge you have when it comes to writing?
It’s a challenge making as sure as you can that you have an accurate grasp on the technical aspects of what you’re writing about. You don’t want to be that writer who makes errors regarding how the tech works, and annoys developers. Although that’s actually a good thing (figuring out how things work, not annoying developers), because it makes you learn.
What is the next thing you hope to achieve in your career?
A 10,000 piece PFP rug pull, and then head for the hills. No, not really. Just keep getting a better understanding of what’s happening with the tech, observe how it’s panning out in the real world, and write about it to the best of my ability, taking a broad perspective.
Wow, that’s admirable. Now, something more casual: What is your guilty pleasure of choice?
The majority of my pleasures are guilty, but thankfully I’m shameless and I don’t feel guilty about them at all… heavy metal, budget horror movies, 70s sitcoms, cheap bourbon, fast food… all good, bring it on.
Do you have a non-tech-related hobby? If yes, what is it?
I’m really bad at it, but I love surfing and would spend every day at the beach if I could, whatever the season.
What can the Hacker Noon community expect to read from you next?
I suspect it will be more about NFTs, the metaverse, bitcoin, blockchain, crypto, because to me these are the most exciting, unpredictable, and widely disruptive things happening right now, in this chaotic period of time.
Thanks for taking time to join our “Meet the writer” series. It was a pleasure. Do you have any closing words?
Whatever is happening, zoom out. Zoom out is a philosophy of everything.